Business & Finance
Improving Malta, Gozo and Catania maritime links
By MaltaMedia News
Oct 1, 2007 - 8:12:10 AM

The Malta Maritime Authority, in collaboration with the Port authoritiy of Catania, Sicily last week hosted a discussion forum during which results of a feasibility study on the development of direct ferry links to Gozo from Catania were announced and discussed.

Cavalgo, an Interreg IIIA project part financed by the EU, is prime example of how, through EU’s assistance and in close collaboration with other EU members, three different Islands can embark on a cooperative project whose results are mutually beneficial.

The workshop was hosted at the Grand Hotel in Mgarr, Gozo and was addressed by a number of key speakers namely Hon. Censu Galea, Minister for Competitiveness and Communications (vide attached speech), Dr. Marc Bonello, Chairman Malta Maritime Authority, Charles V. Schembri, Executive Director Ports and Mr Santo Castiglione, President of the Catania Port Authority. Chris Farrugia, Cavalgo Project Leader at the MMA introduced the project and outlined the scope of the workshop, followed by a presentation on the actual findings of the feasibility study conducted by Fisher Associates and their local representatives Europa Consultanty services.

The study, launched last year by the Malta Maritime Authority and the Catania Port Authority forms part of Project Calvago and concerns the development of direct links to Gozo using a fast ferry or catamaran service, which will enable both passengers and vehicles, including trailers, to depart from Gozo directly to destinations in Europe via Sicily. Project Cavalgo aims to increase maritime traffic in the long term between Sicily and Malta by 55 per cent, from the current average of 47,250 passengers to around 70,000 a year.

In his presentation, Dr. Marc Bonello, explained that the feasibility study had two main aims. “The significance of this study was two-fold. On one hand we needed to examine how a direct ferry link to Gozo will be of benefit to the island and what changes would be needed to the infrastructure of Mgarr harbour. Furthermore, the study took a high level view of what is needed to improve port infrastructure and capacity in Mgarr, Gozo – something that may need to be addressed over the next 15 to 25 years according to demand and increased activity.”

“The Mgarr area is quite congested during peak hours – not only is it used by the Gozo ferry but by fishermen, private yachts and the seaplane service. With all these considerations, the study went into the viability of a fast ferry service between Sicily and Gozo and findings indicate there is in fact a need for a ferry service that takes only a few hours to get to Sicily,” added Dr. Bonello.

“It is a well-known fact that the transport infrastructure is a very important means of supporting Gozo’s economy. The proposed concept for the development of Mgarr also incorporates the existing plans for a cruise liner berth in Gozo therefore it is clear that this project is not only aimed at developing further the tourist market but also looks at maximising the commercial potential and the new opportunities that will be created in the process. More so when one considers the eventuality that this project develops into a wider context to include countries in the Mediterranean, particularly countries in the North African region,” added Dr. Bonello.

Commenting on the findings of the feasibility study, Mr Chris Fisher from Fisher Assocates referred to the major constraints faced by Mgarr harbour namely a highly congested environment, high commercial and tourist activity, limited land area, a considerable, fishing fleet, and the presence of yachting berths. Moreover, road access is very limited and contributes to high levels of congestion.

Mr Fisher said “the key finings in our feasibility study highlight the fact that Mgarr Harbour and its immediate access road remain the key infrastructure on which Gozo’s economy is based and this needs to be seriously considered in a development plan that could include a vast and concrete project. These could include further land reclamation to create more quay areas, a new ferry berth, the extension of the existing breakwater, land reclamation outside the harbour area for the creation of a cruise liner berth, more improved access roads to cater for the resultant increase in traffic and ease the flow of passenger mobility, a cruise liner berth as well as the creation of a new marina that would create more berths.”

Concluding the workshop, Dr. Bonello thanked the Sicilian colleagues from Catania, partners on this project, all the Gozo community for their contributions the consultants, Fisher and Associates and their local partners, Europa Consultants, the Gozo Business Chamber and the Gozo Tourism Association. The Malta Maritime Authority augured that the healthy discussion that was sparked by this study would provide the context for strategic decision-making concerning the port of Mgarr, which holds one of the keys for Gozo’s economic development.

Finally, Dr. Bonello invited all interested parties to review and comment on the findings of this report which hopefully will serve as a catalyst for the realization of the proposed development plan for Mgarr Harbour.